State dismisses, to refile charges against Ellen Lester

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California Deputy Attorney General Maggy Krell has dismissed all charges against Ellen Lester, the wife of Gold Country Lenders CEO Philip Lester, with plans to refile.

A preliminary hearing into the evidence against Lester was vacated Tuesday morning, after Kress announced she would dismiss two felony counts of conspiracy and securities fraud against her.

Lester’s three co-defendants — husband Philip Lester, Susan Laferte and Jonathan Blinder — are still facing prosecution pursuant to allegations that Gold Country Lenders engaged in a pattern of theft and fraud for over eight years, bilking investors of more than $2.3 million.

Philip Lester and Laferte have been charged with 66 felony counts of elder abuse, securities fraud and conspiracy, and Blinder has been charged with four felony counts of securities fraud.